Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Princess of the Saiyans ❯ The Brightest Star ( Chapter 5 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Nate Grey 
Pan takes on Goku's old foes...with some help.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.14.2001 | Updated On: 09.14.2001 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.8K | Visits: 635 | Status: Completed
Pan takes on Goku's old foes...with some help.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.14.2001 | Updated On: 09.14.2001 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.8K | Visits: 635 | Status: Completed
Princess of the Saiyans
Chapter 5: The Brightest Star
Note: Please keep in mind that this isn't in normal continuity.
<...> are thoughts.
Trunks landed cautiously, clutching Pan's exhausted form tightly to his chest. He'd been very careful not to wake her when she fell asleep in his arms on the way back. Now he transferred her to his right arm, and slowly lifted her legs with his left, making her easier to carry. Of course, he instantly recalled why she'd objected to that as his large jacket shifted, revealing her thighs.
Still, Trunks somehow managed to tear his eyes away (eventually) and carry her into the house. He'd been hoping he could go straight through the kitchen and into her room without being seen, and as a result, he wouldn't have to explain why Pan was half-naked.
Naturally, his mother was sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for him as he entered. Her eyes widened a bit, and she quickly ran over to him. "What happened?"
"She tried to go Super Saiyan again," he explained. "She got farther, but...well..."
"I can guess the rest," Bulma interrupted. "Is she okay?"
"I think so. She was talking to me on the way back, but she's exhausted."
Bulma checked Pan's pulse and found it strong. "Crazy girl," she muttered, smiling a bit. "The last thing I need is two of you incapacitated. I'd never hear the end of it from Gohan, and Videl..." She shuddered at the thought.
"Uh...Mom? I've been carrying Pan for a while, and my arms are starting to fall asleep."
"Oh. Sorry." Bulma quickly moved aside.
"How's Dad?" he asked as walked by.
Bulma sighed. "Worse, I'm afraid. He's resting, though."
Trunks wanted to say something to comfort her, but there was nothing he could say that wouldn't be patronizing. Instead, he walked to Pan's room in silence, pushing the door open with his foot. He started to put her down on the bed, but Bulma suddenly brushed past him and drew back the blanket.
"It'll get cold tonight," she said simply. "Well, especially since she's only got your jacket on."
Trunks smiled and nodded his thanks, somehow managing to keep from blushing. If he hadn't, she would've teased him mercilessly about secretly liking Pan, and he got enough of that from Gohan and Goten. He gently placed her on the bed, and Bulma covered her with the blanket.
Pan stirred in her sleep and whispered, "Don't die, Sensei..."
Bulma smiled sadly, and Trunks thought he heard a tiny whimper catch in her throat. Then she shook her head and said, "I'll leave some of my old clothes out for her."
Trunks followed her out of the room and closed the door. He caught up to her as she headed for her bedroom. "Mom, wait."
She turned and looked up at him. "What is it, Trunks?"
He didn't say anything, only pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. "I love you," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
Bulma returned the embrace, clinging to him with more force than she meant to. "I know, honey. I love you, too."
Trunks closed his eyes as he felt his shoulder growing damp. "We'll make it through this, Mom. All of us. I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, son." She pulled back, pressing her hand to his cheek. "And never lie to your mother. I taught you better than that."
"But sometimes lies are better. They don't hurt as much as the truth, do they, Mom?"
She forced a smile, a tear running down her cheek. "No, son. But in the end, the truth is always best."
* * * * *
Normally, Vegeta would have destroyed Frieza, Gero, and the brain-in-a-suit with one, destructive blast. But this was no normal attack. Nothing could be normal when it involved Perfect Cell.
The psychic avatar cursed as he briefly sensed Kakarott's ki behind him, and was then mowed down by a huge Kamehameha Wave. <That damn android's still faster than me...and stronger!> He turned to face Cell, even as he barely felt the blast from the gun the brain had been carrying. Annoyed, he flung a short blast behind him, and was rewarded with the sound of a pained grunt.
Cell stared down at his enemy. "So, Vegeta. I see not much has changed since we last fought."
"Only the scenery," he growled, and it was true. Vegeta had fought mental battles before, and this one was no different. However, he had yet to realize its importance...and that this was no mere dream.
"The outcome will be the same. Only faster, and more satisfying...for me, that is." Cell smiled and began to gather energy in both his hands.
"You think I'm going to stand here and wait for you to attack?" Vegeta laughed, starting forward.
Cell shook his head, his smile remaining. "No. That's what they're for."
Vegeta was vaguely aware of a ki flaring up before the death beam caught him in the back. If he hadn't been a Super Saiyan, it would've killed him for sure. At it was, the wound instantly cauterized, but it still felt like he'd been shot. He whirled, finding Frieza only inches from him.
"How I've missed torturing you, my prince," the Changeling whispered, his black lips twisting in a cruel smile. "We'll have to change that, won't we?"
Before Vegeta could lash out, the two blasts Cell had been building slammed into his back, driving him forward. Frieza's tail whipped out and caught him in the chest, sending him barreling backwards. Cell's powerful arms instantly locked around Vegeta and began to crush.
Vegeta held in a scream of pain as Frieza's tail repeatedly whipped his body. But the real humiliation was when Gero reached out, the red jewel on each hand twinkling in anticipation, and grabbed Vegeta's legs, slowly sapping his great strength.
"Just a few minutes more," Cell said, giving an extra squeeze and hearing the first rib crack. "I can feel his power slipping away." He glanced at his creator, who was cackling madly. "Not too much, Dr. Gero. We want him alive."
"Do we?" Frieza sneered, his tail slamming into the side of Vegeta's head.
"Of course, Frieza," Cell replied patiently. "Torturing a corpse wouldn't be much fun. They don't scream as well as the living do."
* * * * *
Pan pulled the borrowed robe tighter around herself as she made her way through the silent house. She'd been so tired from her training with Trunks that she'd gone straight to bed, forgetting to check on her Sensei. Now that she had slept a bit, she planned to spend the rest of the night by his side. If there was the slightest chance her presence might make a difference (as she desperately hoped it would), she wasn't going to deprive him of it any longer.
As she passed Trunks' room, Pan smiled involuntarily. He really was her oldest friend, and obviously knew her too well. When she'd asked him to take her home, he'd brought her back to Capsule Corp. The fatigue of nearly transforming into...something...had confused her, but Trunks had known Pan's inner desire, anyway. She wanted to be near Vegeta, as he did, in case he needed them.
Pan had seen the light in his eyes when he looked at her and Trunks, and she knew what it was: pride. He was proud of both his students, even if he didn't show it much. Initially, but sparingly, he had rewarded Pan with a positive comment or a silent nod of approval, and eventually a pat on the head, when no one else was looking. But she had been a child then, and needed to know that he was proud of her. Once she'd grown enough to reassure herself of her strength, he'd only given up nods, again, sparingly.
She finally reached Vegeta's room, and slowly pushed the door open, peering inside. Vegeta was asleep, his face frozen in an expression of his discomfort. Pan realized that she'd never seen him in any real pain, and the sight disturbed her. She sat down in a chair by the bed and stared at his still form.
As Pan's eyes grew more accustomed to the darkness, she suddenly realized that part of it was...moving. She squinted, but she could still see the swirling object just over Vegeta's head. It was darker than the rest of the room, almost pure black. Something told her that it didn't belong there...and that it might have something-no, everything-to do with Vegeta's worsening condition.
Hesitantly, she reached over and felt for his pulse. She gasped when she could barely find it, and it was very weak. Acting on instinct, Pan stood up and stretched out a hand to the dark shape. She didn't know or care what it was, she only knew that it was harming her Sensei. Her body stiffened, and a cold feeling traveled through it before the light left her eyes, and she collapsed across Vegeta's chest.
* * * * *
Dende frowned, something he was starting to do more and more often, now that Goku was dead. "Do you feel that, Mr. Popo?"
"Yes, Dende," the servant replied. "What do you suppose it could be?"
"I'm not quite sure, but it stinks of a presence I have long feared returning from the jaws of death." His frown deepened as the young Namek became fully aware of what was happening in the mind of Vegeta. It was days like this he almost regretted becoming Guardian of Earth. Almost. "Stand by, Mr. Popo. I'm going to contact King Kai. I think Goku should know of this."
* * * * *
Trunks' eyes snapped open as he felt...something. "Pan," he whispered, an image of his friend's face floating before his. He leaped from the bed and ran down the hall, throwing the door to her room open. Finding it empty, he thought for a second, then doubled back to Vegeta's room. He found his mother standing at the door, her face frozen in an expression of horror. When he saw what she was staring at, Trunks' face reacted in much the same way.
Bulma had turned on the light, allowing them both to see the dark vortex spiraling menacingly over Vegeta's head. Pan was sprawled across his chest, and her eyes were empty.
"Trunks," Bulma whispered. "What IS it?"
"I don't know," he said at last. "But we should get them away from it." He started forward, but she grabbed his arm.
"Wait! We don't know what's going on here! If we move them..." She trailed off, the worry clear on her face.
Trunks sighed. "You're right." He looked back at his father and his friend. <Damn it, Pan! I can't lose both of you!> He sighed again, then pulled his mother away from the door. "Come on. We'd better tell Gohan and the others."
* * * * *
Gohan frowned as his eyes opened. He didn't say anything, and he didn't need to. His daughter was in trouble, and no words were needed. Only the power that had been his birthright was required.
Videl woke up to the sound of the bedroom window shattering. She looked just in time to see a golden light fading into the night.
* * * * *
Thousands of miles away, Goten's head snapped up as his band finished their last set. "Pan," he said quietly, his eyes narrowing. Something was wrong at home, and he could feel it. He dropped his air guitar and ran off the stage, ducking through the crowd. As soon as he was outside the nightclub, a golden light framed his body, and he rocketed into the sky, heading towards the Capsule Corporation.
* * * * *
Eighteen gasped and sat up in bed. She was somewhat surprised to find her husband doing the same. "Krillin, it's Cell," she whispered. "He's back!"
Krillin frowned. "No, it's Frieza!"
They stared at each other in silence, and the realization came to both at once. "Oh CRAP!"
* * * * *
Pan was still trying to figure out where she was and why she was dressed for battle when she heard it. It was the scream of a soul in unimaginable torture. So pained and miserable was the scream that it took her a few moments to realize it came from Vegeta. She'd never heard him sound like that...never.
She sensed his fading ki before she actually saw him. Of course, she saw the figures crowded around him first.
The important ones she knew right away: Cell, Frieza, and Gero. The other didn't really matter, as he had no real power that she could detect. But then her attention was focused solely on Vegeta, and what the monsters were doing to him.
Vegeta was strapped to a metal table with some type of manacles. His armor had either been torn or blasted away, and most of the body suit beneath it was gone. Long, red welts from Frieza's tail covered nearly all of his chest, arms, and legs. His face was covered in blood, and there were burns on every visible part of his body.
It was then that Pan realized why Vegeta was in so much pain: he was no longer a Super Saiyan. He would have transformed even if it had just been Gero, and certainly for Frieza and Cell.
Fortunately, Cell, Frieza, and Gero were content to sit back and watch, for the moment. Unfortunately, Vegeta had been drained so much that the brain's gun was doing major damage.
Pan felt tears running down her cheeks as she looked at the man who had been like a father to her for most of her life. He was one of the strongest people she knew, and yet, they had reduced him to a bloody, wailing mess. It wasn't right...and it would stop, if she had anything to say about it.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!" she screamed.
Cell and Frieza looked up almost casually, while Gero actually seemed worried.
"What's this? An interloper?" Cell peered at the girl. "That face...more of Goku's clan, no doubt." He looked over at Frieza. "Do you want her, or should I...?"
Frieza smiled. "You go ahead. I think it's time Vegeta got my full attention."
"Very well." Cell floated upward until he was staring Pan in the face. "Hmm. It would be a shame to damage such a pretty face. However, I can't allow you to interfere. I might let you escape unharmed if you leave now."
Pan's fists clenched at her sides. "You...you...MONSTER!"
Cell tilted his head and smiled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, my dear. But I've decided I like your spirit...and your pathetic ki, which shouldn't give us any real trouble. For that, you get a front row seat." Instantly, one powerful arm was around her, and Cell was floating back to where Frieza was just starting to renew his torture of the Saiyan Prince.
Vegeta's eyes slowly opened as he felt Pan's ki, and then they narrowed. She couldn't tell who he was more angry with: her, for being captured so easily; his enemies, for torturing him and making her watch; or himself, for not being strong enough to do anything about it.
Frieza's tail slammed against Vegeta's cheek. "Not so arrogant now, are you, monkey?" he chuckled.
Vegeta spat in his direction.
Frieza's eyes narrowed. "FOOL!" he roared, his tail lashing out. It was aimed at Vegeta's face, and more accurately, his mouth.
Just before Frieza's tail connected, Vegeta opened his mouth. As it struck him, he sank his teeth into the sensitive tip, biting down for all he was worth.
Frieza screamed in pain and instinctively jerked the tail away. He stared in speechless horror as it came away bloody.
Vegeta growled and spat out the end of the tail.
"My beautiful tail...YOU STUPID MONKEY!" Frieza drove his fist into Vegeta's jaw, laughing as he heard bones crack and give way.
Vegeta's eyes rolled in his head for a moment, then he shuddered and laid still.
"NO!" Pan shouted, struggling in Cell's grip. "SENSEI!!!"
* * * * *
Gohan, Videl, Eighteen, Krillin, and Goten were silent as Trunks and Bulma explained what they knew, which was, sadly, not much, and apparently, not enough.
"That's IT?" Gohan asked.
Bulma glared at him. "Gohan, we care about Pan, too. We've done everything to try and figure out what that thing is-"
"...short of going inside it," Goten said quietly.
"THAT is not even an option," Bulma continued. "Pan went in, and now she's in the same rut as Vegeta. No one else is going in there unless we know it's safe."
"But until then, it's NOT safe, and they're still in there!" Videl cried.
"I know, Videl," Bulma sighed. "Pan was like a daughter to me, and I hate to leave her in there. I know what you're going through."
"You don't!" Videl shrieked. "She's not LIKE my daughter, she IS my daughter, and I want her out of there NOW!"
"They do have a point," Krillin said quietly. "Anybody that went in there could get trapped, too."
"But how do we even know they're still alive?" Eighteen asked. "How can be sure the risk of going in isn't worth it?"
"They're alive," Trunks muttered. "I'd know if they weren't. So would Gohan."
That, at least, seemed to be enough, for the moment.
* * * * *
Dr. Willow warily poked Vegeta's body with his gun. "I think he's dead."
Frieza snorted. "He is not, you fool. I can still sense him."
"Well, until he wakes up, there's nothing to do," Cell said.
"But there is." Frieza smiled evilly at Pan. "I'm wondering why she's so attached to Vegeta. Squeezing the truth out of her should be fun enough."
Cell sighed. "Frieza, do you expect me to harm a defenseless girl?"
"No. You actually have some standards." He licked his lips. "I don't."
Normally, Pan would've glared at him. However, she was too busy searching for Vegeta's ki. Frieza had said he was alive, but she wasn't so sure anymore.
"Fine," Cell muttered, dropping Pan to the ground. "Have your fun. But when Vegeta wakes up, I finish him."
"Agreed." Frieza grabbed a handful of Pan's hair. "You do look a little like Goku. Unfortunately for you, I'm the last person you want to remind of him."
"Why? Bad memories?" Pan spat.
Frieza's eyes narrowed, and he slapped her hard across the face. "Looks like I'll have to teach you some manners before I kill you."
"Oh, I already know them. 'Please, Goku, spare me! I'll be good, I promise!'"
Rage masked Frieza's features for a moment, and then he chuckled. "You're trying to force me into doing something stupid. It won't work."
"I know. You do that well enough without any help from me."
The thick part of Frieza's tail crashed into her head, and the pale appendage curled around Pan's neck and began to squeeze. As she gasped for air, Frieza leaned close and whispered in her ear. "Maybe Goku didn't tell you this, but I can't be defeated. He thought he destroyed me, but I came back stronger than ever. It just proves that he was only a stupid, smelly monkey." His lips twisted into a smile. "Only now, he's a stupid, smellier, dead monkey."
Pan glared at him, clawing at his tail. "Don't you talk about him!" she growled.
Frieza pulled her even closer. "Stupid. Smelly. Monkey. And it's too bad Vegeta didn't learn anything from him. Now they're both dead."
Nearby, Dr. Willow suddenly brought the barrel of his gun down on Vegeta's skull. There was a sickening crunch, followed by Willow's laughter.
Pan's head lowered as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. With a start, she realized they were too hot. They were burning. Frieza soon realized as well, because he screamed when they touched his tail. But for some reason, Pan dug her fingers into his tail, refusing to let him pull away.
The scene around her faded to nothing but angry, orange flames. For miles around, they were all she could see. And then the two white eyes rose up, towering over her. Huge, majestic wings emerged from the flames, and the great bird screeched, its cry echoing off her soul.
The bird suddenly looked at Pan and swooped down, swallowing her in its long beak. That was when everything turned red.
* * * * *
Goku frowned and slowly removed his hand from King Kai's back. "This isn't good."
"No, it isn't," King Kai agreed. "I don't know how powerful Pan is, but Cell is still stronger than Vegeta. He's going to need her help...wherever they are."
"I just wish there was something I could do." Goku blinked, and then grinned. "Maybe there is something..."
King Kai looked nervous. "Goku, what are you thinking?"
"Turn around again, King Kai. I need to use your 'phone' two more times."
* * * * *
Cell wasn't quite sure what had happened. One moment, Frieza had been torturing the girl he'd captured. The next moment, Frieza began screaming and trying to pry her away from his tail. Then something had exploded. He realized now that it had been the rest of Frieza's tail.
The girl herself was another story altogether. She'd started glowing, and her ki had gone up considerably. Cell assumed that someone had taught her to hide it very well...but then, she had called Vegeta her teacher.
From what he could see, the girl had burst into flames, but she didn't appear to be harmed by them. Her hair was now bright orange, as was her ki, and her eyes were pure white. For all intents and purposes, she was as powerful as a Super Saiyan...but Cell knew instantly that this was no Super Saiyan.
Then she turned to look at him and charged. Despite his usual arrogance and confidence in his powers, Cell got out of the way. The girl continued past him and slammed into Dr. Willow, who instantly vanished in a curl of black smoke. All his power had been drained, and so he was sent back to Hell. Cell knew that Frieza, Dr. Gero, and himself would have to finish the job.
* * * * *
Dende looked up in surprise as Eighteen and Krillin landed in front of them. "This is most unexpected," he said at last. "I asked for Gohan and Trunks."
"We know," Krillin replied. "But they didn't want to leave. They want to be there in case Pan needs them, so we were drafted."
"I understand." Dende looked at them both. "You do know why I called, don't you?"
"The Dragonballs?" Eighteen asked.
Dende nodded. "They will be needed. I am not sure if Pan and Vegeta can be restored without them. The real problem lies in phrasing the wish correctly, as there are limits to the dragon's power."
"Let's just worry about the Dragonballs first," Krillin suggested. "We'll have to borrow Bulma's Dragon Radar, but we should find them pretty quickly."
"I thought as much. Good luck," Dende said as the couple flew off.
* * * * *
Vegeta slowly and painfully opened his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment, and then cleared. The first thing he saw was someone trading blows with Frieza. It took him a few moments to realize who it was. <Pan?! How did she get that strong so quickly?! And...what IS she?!>
He thought for a few seconds. <Well, I've never seen a female Super Saiyan. Perhaps that's what they look like. Still...it is very strange.> He pushed the thought from his head and focused on freeing himself. Hiding his ki hadn't been too difficult, especially with the beating they'd given him. As he'd hoped, Pan had assumed he was dead, and the rage had triggered her transformation. But he could sense her power, and though she was close to Frieza's level, he was stronger. She would need help.
Vegeta screamed as his power built up. Never before had the upgrade to Super Saiyan been so painful, not even the first time. But he would make his enemies feel ten times that, once he was through. The manacles around his wrists and legs ripped like paper, and he flew up.
Frieza had just sent Pan reeling with a hard right hand, but before it could connect again, Vegeta's right hand slammed into Frieza's. There was an audible crack, and Frieza's metal hand shattered into a million pieces. The startled Changeling could only stare in shock as Vegeta blasted him in the chest, and he fell away from them.
Vegeta growled and wiped some blood from his face, suddenly noticing that Pan was staring at him. "What?" he barked.
She blinked, and her eyes filled with joyous tears. "Sensei..." Before he could stop her, Pan grabbed him in a rough hug, burying her face against his shoulder. "I thought you were dead!" she sobbed.
Vegeta started to pull away, especially when her flames began to spread to his body. But for some reason, the heat didn't bother him, and it actually felt...good. He watched in astonishment as the various wounds along his limbs began to close. "Pan...how are you doing that?" he asked.
She noticed the wounds vanishing, too. "I-I don't know," she admitted. Experimentally, she pressed a hand against his cheek. The lash marks from Frieza's tail began to fade there, and soon the blood was gone, too.
Vegeta pulled her hand away, staring at it. Like the rest of her body, it was surrounded by flames. Yet she wasn't burned at all, and the fire didn't consume her. It sprang from her skin, almost as if it was as natural as hair. And as he had seen, the fire COULD burn her enemies...but apparently, it had healing properties for her allies. "Can you control it?"
She nodded. "But...I didn't make it heal you. It just...reacted."
Vegeta glanced over her shoulder, noticing Cell and Dr. Gero for the first time. "Then make it react again, and do it quickly."
* * * * *
Gohan stared across the table at Trunks. "And why did you wait until now to tell me?"
Trunks shrugged. "It was late, and I didn't know she'd choose tonight to get sucked into a vortex. Besides, I wasn't sure if Pan wanted anyone to know."
"Trunks, I'm her father."
"Gohan, I'm her friend. I'm not going to betray her trust...ever. Not even to you." He looked away. "Also, I wasn't sure if there was any real reason for alarm. Have YOU ever seen a female Super Saiyan?"
"No," Gohan admitted slowly.
"Then for all we know, what happened last night might be normal."
"And it might not," Gohan added.
"Also true. But unless you know any other survivors from Planet Vegeta, I think you'll just have to wait and ask my father when he awakens...if he ever does."
* * * * *
"Are you worried, Dr. Gero?" Cell asked.
"Not entirely. You are still stronger than Vegeta, and the girl can be no stronger than he is. And once Frieza has had a minute to collect himself, I'm sure he will join us. We are still in control here. They cannot escape us."
"You said not entirely, though."
"Well...yes. I have had time to study Super Saiyans from the data I collected during my last fight with Vegeta."
"And...?"
"And there is nothing that indicates that girl should've been able to transform. Every bit of data implied that only males could become Super Saiyans."
Cell blinked. "So you're saying that she is a special case?"
"Most likely. Does that bother you?"
"Oh, no. Not at all, doctor." Cell smiled. "I LIKE special cases..."
Above them, there was a bright flash of golden light.
"Ah. I see that he's become 'Super' Vegeta again. These Ascended Saiyans are quite amusing. Don't you think so, Dr. Gero?"
"You'll have to excuse me if I don't share your interest, Cell."
"Of course. Leave them both to me."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Vegeta appeared in front of him, delivering a vicious kick to Cell's head, and then following up with several energy blasts at close range. Soon Cell felt blasts from another direction, as both Saiyans continued their assault on him. So he did the one thing that could make them angriest.
He yawned. "Is it my turn yet?"
Vegeta growled and drove his fist into Cell's face.
Cell blinked and kicked him the chest, smiling as the Saiyan Prince doubled over in pain. "Well, either those old wounds aren't quite healed yet, or you're weaker than I thought you were, Vegeta. I guess I'll have to fight the girl instead. Maybe she'll last longer..."
Vegeta looked up, the rage unmistakable in his eyes. "Baka...! I'll show you real power!" His muscles began to shrink back to their normal size, and the golden hair on his head grew even closer together. Tiny lightning bolts crackled around his body as new power flowed through him, and his eyes narrowed almost permanently.
Cell was not impressed. "That may have saved Gohan, but only because you provided a distraction. You will not win."
"I second the motion," Frieza added as he rose up beside Cell.
Vegeta snorted. "Get out of the way, you weakling! You have no power!"
Frieza smirked. "Poor, poor Vegeta. You still don't get it, do you? You base your opinion of me by what you can sense. But you of all people should know that when I am involved, there is more than what meets the eye." As he spoke, Frieza's body began to bulge and twist.
Vegeta and Pan could only watch in shock as Frieza went through all of his forms, ending in the final one.
"Now do you understand, foolish Saiyans? Since my...accident, I've gotten much stronger. You only thought you could beat me because you saw my first form, which was quite weak when compared to yours. But now, you will be the first to experience the new and improved Frieza's wrath!"
For the first time in the battle, Vegeta actually looked worried. He glanced over at Pan. He compared her ki and Frieza's, and knew that there was no contest. There were only two options, and he wasn't about to make her fight a battle neither of them could win. "Pan," he whispered, his eyes still on their opponents.
"Sensei?"
"When I engage them, I want you to run."
"WHAT?!"
"That's an order."
"No! I won't leave you here, Sensei! Either we fight together, or we escape together!"
Vegeta snarled. "GO!"
"NEVER!" Pan shouted in his face.
Vegeta didn't know whether to be surprised or angry. Then he became both. "GO OR I'LL MAKE YOU GO!"
Pan stayed where she was. "I'm not leav-"
Vegeta roared and lashed out. His fist connected with her cheek, and Pan flew back. She hadn't been expecting him to attack, and he took advantage of that. With a move that looked suspiciously like a Kamehameha Wave, Vegeta blasted Pan away, sending her screaming into the darkness.
Frieza attacked first. He leaped forward, slamming into Vegeta from the front. Cell hit him from the back, effectively crushing the Super Saiyan between them. Vegeta's wounds that he had thought healed began to surface and open again.
Frieza rained blows all over his face and chest, while Cell focused on his back.
Suddenly, Vegeta growled in anger, but it wasn't because of the attack. Pan was slowly coming back. Her clothing was singed from the blast, but there was a determined look in her eyes as she swooped down, ramming into Frieza from behind.
The Changeling hit her with a death beam up close, and though Pan shuddered, she shook away the pain and charged again.
Vegeta could only watch as Frieza fired more death beams. But every time, Pan shook them off and kept coming, though it was useless.
"Just give up, girl," Frieza said at last, smiling cruelly. "You're even weaker than Goku was."
Pan's head snapped up, and a new fire burned in her eyes. "Don't you talk about him...EVER!"
"Why? He was only a stupid monkey, just like you. And I guess that makes Vegeta here Prince of the Monkeys. Not a very effective title, but it fits."
Pan's body shook with rage. "I said don't talk about him!"
Frieza sighed. "My only regret is that I wasn't able to kill him. Cell robbed me of that pleasure. But once we're done with Vegeta, I'll make sure you die by my hands, little monkey girl."
"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY GRAMPA!" Pan shouted.
Dr. Gero's eyes widened as Pan's ki began glowing bright red. "What has Frieza done?! Doesn't he know that anger is the key to their power?!"
Pan brought her hands together at her side and began to whisper, the fury building in her voice as she spoke. "Ka...Me...Ha...Me..."
Frieza's eyes narrowed. "No you don't!" He lunged at her.
"HAAAA!" Pan screamed, thrusting her hands out. A red bolt of lightning leaped from her hands, hitting Frieza in the chest. He, too, screamed as it exploded, a ball of red fury enveloping him for a few tense seconds. Then it exploded, as well.
Vegeta turned his head, and was still momentarily blinded. But when he regained his sight, he was shocked.
Frieza was still there...but he was not unharmed. All that remained was his upper torso and head. His waist, legs, and arms had been burned away by Pan's attack. "No..." he whispered. "Not again...NEVER AGAIN!" He opened his mouth, and a purple blast flew out of it.
Pan knocked it away with ease. But that was when she noticed the vortex.
It had been growing above them, and by now, it was very large. It was black, like the one that had brought them here, and spiraled in the same evil manner.
Vegeta's hope fell. If Cell and Frieza were calling for reinforcements, then it was all over. Anyone stronger than them could easily defeat Pan and himself.
But Pan flew to the vortex, ready to blast the first being that came through. And when it did, she prepared a blast. But when she saw the being's face, her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
He was a Saiyan, of that there could be no doubt. But he looked...very familiar. His black hair seemed to explode from his head, and despite the scar on his cheek, there was only one person he could be.
"G-Grampa?" Pan whispered.
The Saiyan blinked, and then smiled. "No, Pan. But close enough." He turned back to vortex and shouted, "ATTACK!"
A battle cry went up, and hundreds of Saiyans began to pour from the vortex. Among them was one with brown, pointy hair. He flew directly at Frieza and snarled, "Get away from my son!"
Frieza blinked. "King Vegeta?" he asked in disbelief.
The dead king raised his hand and fired.
Frieza screamed, and was then covered by hundreds of bodies. The same fate went for Cell and Dr. Gero. But as the Saiyans were knocked aside but one sweep of Cell's hand, some of them realized it wouldn't be enough. All of them just weren't strong enough.
A hand gripped Pan's arm, and she turned to see the Saiyan from before. There was a peculiar ball of energy in his hand. "Whatever you do," he said, "don't look up." And then he threw the ball.
Pan wasn't sure why she wasn't supposed to look, but did as he ordered. Suddenly, the cavern was filled with mighty roars. She gasped when she realized that every Saiyan, save for Vegeta, herself, and the one who looked a lot like Goku, was turning into a giant ape.
After that, the advantage went to the Saiyans. Several feet soon crushed Dr. Gero, and Frieza didn't last long against the fiery breath of the apes. They both faded out of existence, sent back to Hell.
Cell, however, was not so easily beaten. Even in his Imperfect form, he had been stronger then all the apes. Now that he was Perfect, they presented no challenge. So instead of fighting the apes, he created a black shield of impenetrable energy around himself. No matter how hard the apes struck it, they never even dented it.
Pan was still watching the fight when yet another Saiyan that resembled Goku appeared. Apparently, he had somehow avoided looking at the false moon. He was carrying Vegeta's limp body across his shoulders. "I think we need another plan, Bardock," he said. "That green guy's tougher than we thought."
Bardock nodded. "I doubt even I could do much against him. But he must be defeated." He thought for a moment, then sighed. "Keep an eye on Vegeta and the girl, Turles."
"What are you going to do?" Turles asked.
Before Bardock could answer, there was a deafening roar of pain. Cell was now extending his shield outward at a rapid rate, and as it collided with each ape, the ape vanished. Soon, they were all gone, and Cell's gaze landed on Pan. With a smirk on his face, he flew directly at her.
Bardock pushed Pan behind him, while Turles shoved Vegeta into her arms and stood by the older Saiyan.
Cell stopped in front of them. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say both of you were Goku. But I killed him, so that can't be. Although I am quite dead myself, so it just might be possible. Anyway, which one will die first?"
Turles leaped forward and blasted Cell in the face.
Cell looked very disappointed as he drove his arm into the Saiyan's chest. Turles instantly disappeared. "This is getting very boring." He shoved Bardock aside and smiled at Pan. "So we meet again, my dear. Are you ready to die now?"
Before Pan could respond, Bardock leaped on Cell's back and detonated a bright ball of energy in his face.
Cell cried out in surprise and threw Bardock off, trying to regain his vision.
Bardock steadied himself, forming an orange ball of energy this time. He glanced over his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, kid," he said, "and so is Ka...Goku. Remember that."
Cell growled in anger and charged, his punch shattering Bardock's jaw.
The Saiyan stumbled back, then threw the ball upward as Cell hit him with a devastating blast. Just before he faded away, Pan could hear Bardock whispering, "Remember..."
Cell cracked his knuckles and turned to look at her. "Oh, now I remember who he was! Bardock was his name. He was Goku's father."
Pan's eyes widened. "What?"
"So that makes him...your great-grandfather. No, wait...your very DEAD great-grandfather. Yes, that's it."
Pan could feel tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them away. It was then that she noticed the glowing ball of energy that Bardock had thrown. It was hovering overhead...and then it exploded.
Cell, Pan, and Vegeta were bathed in light as the false sun formed.
Vegeta blinked, and suddenly understood.
Pan gasped as she felt...something.
Cell's head snapped back to her, and then he understood, too.
Pan felt a sharp pain in her arms. She looked down at them, only to see the flames around her growing higher and stronger. Her first instinct was to panic, but for some reason, she was surprisingly calm.
Cell actually took a few steps back as the flames hid Pan from his view. They quickly grew higher, until they began to form a gigantic shape. At first, he wasn't sure what it was. But then wings rose from the flames, followed by a fearsome head and a large beak. Cell actually gasped when he realized why he couldn't see the girl anymore.
The enormous firebird fixed its eyes on him and let out a shriek. Then, the wings flapped once, and the great bird began to fly forward.
No matter how fast he moved, Cell could not escape the bird. It was always right behind him.
Then the bird opened its mouth, and molten lava spewed forth.
Cell fell under the burning liquid and tried to brush it out.
The bird rose up over him, shrieked one last time, and then went into a downward spiral.
For a terrifying moment, Cell thought it might eat him alive. Instead, the bird shrank and flew into his gaping mouth. Cell blinked several times, and then screamed as he was burned from the inside. His limbs hardened, and he fell to the ground, lifeless. Then his body broke apart and faded.
Pan appeared in place where he had fallen. The flames around her body died away, and she collapsed.
Continued in Chapter 6: The Good Life
Chapter 5: The Brightest Star
Note: Please keep in mind that this isn't in normal continuity.
<...> are thoughts.
Trunks landed cautiously, clutching Pan's exhausted form tightly to his chest. He'd been very careful not to wake her when she fell asleep in his arms on the way back. Now he transferred her to his right arm, and slowly lifted her legs with his left, making her easier to carry. Of course, he instantly recalled why she'd objected to that as his large jacket shifted, revealing her thighs.
Still, Trunks somehow managed to tear his eyes away (eventually) and carry her into the house. He'd been hoping he could go straight through the kitchen and into her room without being seen, and as a result, he wouldn't have to explain why Pan was half-naked.
Naturally, his mother was sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for him as he entered. Her eyes widened a bit, and she quickly ran over to him. "What happened?"
"She tried to go Super Saiyan again," he explained. "She got farther, but...well..."
"I can guess the rest," Bulma interrupted. "Is she okay?"
"I think so. She was talking to me on the way back, but she's exhausted."
Bulma checked Pan's pulse and found it strong. "Crazy girl," she muttered, smiling a bit. "The last thing I need is two of you incapacitated. I'd never hear the end of it from Gohan, and Videl..." She shuddered at the thought.
"Uh...Mom? I've been carrying Pan for a while, and my arms are starting to fall asleep."
"Oh. Sorry." Bulma quickly moved aside.
"How's Dad?" he asked as walked by.
Bulma sighed. "Worse, I'm afraid. He's resting, though."
Trunks wanted to say something to comfort her, but there was nothing he could say that wouldn't be patronizing. Instead, he walked to Pan's room in silence, pushing the door open with his foot. He started to put her down on the bed, but Bulma suddenly brushed past him and drew back the blanket.
"It'll get cold tonight," she said simply. "Well, especially since she's only got your jacket on."
Trunks smiled and nodded his thanks, somehow managing to keep from blushing. If he hadn't, she would've teased him mercilessly about secretly liking Pan, and he got enough of that from Gohan and Goten. He gently placed her on the bed, and Bulma covered her with the blanket.
Pan stirred in her sleep and whispered, "Don't die, Sensei..."
Bulma smiled sadly, and Trunks thought he heard a tiny whimper catch in her throat. Then she shook her head and said, "I'll leave some of my old clothes out for her."
Trunks followed her out of the room and closed the door. He caught up to her as she headed for her bedroom. "Mom, wait."
She turned and looked up at him. "What is it, Trunks?"
He didn't say anything, only pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. "I love you," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
Bulma returned the embrace, clinging to him with more force than she meant to. "I know, honey. I love you, too."
Trunks closed his eyes as he felt his shoulder growing damp. "We'll make it through this, Mom. All of us. I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, son." She pulled back, pressing her hand to his cheek. "And never lie to your mother. I taught you better than that."
"But sometimes lies are better. They don't hurt as much as the truth, do they, Mom?"
She forced a smile, a tear running down her cheek. "No, son. But in the end, the truth is always best."
* * * * *
Normally, Vegeta would have destroyed Frieza, Gero, and the brain-in-a-suit with one, destructive blast. But this was no normal attack. Nothing could be normal when it involved Perfect Cell.
The psychic avatar cursed as he briefly sensed Kakarott's ki behind him, and was then mowed down by a huge Kamehameha Wave. <That damn android's still faster than me...and stronger!> He turned to face Cell, even as he barely felt the blast from the gun the brain had been carrying. Annoyed, he flung a short blast behind him, and was rewarded with the sound of a pained grunt.
Cell stared down at his enemy. "So, Vegeta. I see not much has changed since we last fought."
"Only the scenery," he growled, and it was true. Vegeta had fought mental battles before, and this one was no different. However, he had yet to realize its importance...and that this was no mere dream.
"The outcome will be the same. Only faster, and more satisfying...for me, that is." Cell smiled and began to gather energy in both his hands.
"You think I'm going to stand here and wait for you to attack?" Vegeta laughed, starting forward.
Cell shook his head, his smile remaining. "No. That's what they're for."
Vegeta was vaguely aware of a ki flaring up before the death beam caught him in the back. If he hadn't been a Super Saiyan, it would've killed him for sure. At it was, the wound instantly cauterized, but it still felt like he'd been shot. He whirled, finding Frieza only inches from him.
"How I've missed torturing you, my prince," the Changeling whispered, his black lips twisting in a cruel smile. "We'll have to change that, won't we?"
Before Vegeta could lash out, the two blasts Cell had been building slammed into his back, driving him forward. Frieza's tail whipped out and caught him in the chest, sending him barreling backwards. Cell's powerful arms instantly locked around Vegeta and began to crush.
Vegeta held in a scream of pain as Frieza's tail repeatedly whipped his body. But the real humiliation was when Gero reached out, the red jewel on each hand twinkling in anticipation, and grabbed Vegeta's legs, slowly sapping his great strength.
"Just a few minutes more," Cell said, giving an extra squeeze and hearing the first rib crack. "I can feel his power slipping away." He glanced at his creator, who was cackling madly. "Not too much, Dr. Gero. We want him alive."
"Do we?" Frieza sneered, his tail slamming into the side of Vegeta's head.
"Of course, Frieza," Cell replied patiently. "Torturing a corpse wouldn't be much fun. They don't scream as well as the living do."
* * * * *
Pan pulled the borrowed robe tighter around herself as she made her way through the silent house. She'd been so tired from her training with Trunks that she'd gone straight to bed, forgetting to check on her Sensei. Now that she had slept a bit, she planned to spend the rest of the night by his side. If there was the slightest chance her presence might make a difference (as she desperately hoped it would), she wasn't going to deprive him of it any longer.
As she passed Trunks' room, Pan smiled involuntarily. He really was her oldest friend, and obviously knew her too well. When she'd asked him to take her home, he'd brought her back to Capsule Corp. The fatigue of nearly transforming into...something...had confused her, but Trunks had known Pan's inner desire, anyway. She wanted to be near Vegeta, as he did, in case he needed them.
Pan had seen the light in his eyes when he looked at her and Trunks, and she knew what it was: pride. He was proud of both his students, even if he didn't show it much. Initially, but sparingly, he had rewarded Pan with a positive comment or a silent nod of approval, and eventually a pat on the head, when no one else was looking. But she had been a child then, and needed to know that he was proud of her. Once she'd grown enough to reassure herself of her strength, he'd only given up nods, again, sparingly.
She finally reached Vegeta's room, and slowly pushed the door open, peering inside. Vegeta was asleep, his face frozen in an expression of his discomfort. Pan realized that she'd never seen him in any real pain, and the sight disturbed her. She sat down in a chair by the bed and stared at his still form.
As Pan's eyes grew more accustomed to the darkness, she suddenly realized that part of it was...moving. She squinted, but she could still see the swirling object just over Vegeta's head. It was darker than the rest of the room, almost pure black. Something told her that it didn't belong there...and that it might have something-no, everything-to do with Vegeta's worsening condition.
Hesitantly, she reached over and felt for his pulse. She gasped when she could barely find it, and it was very weak. Acting on instinct, Pan stood up and stretched out a hand to the dark shape. She didn't know or care what it was, she only knew that it was harming her Sensei. Her body stiffened, and a cold feeling traveled through it before the light left her eyes, and she collapsed across Vegeta's chest.
* * * * *
Dende frowned, something he was starting to do more and more often, now that Goku was dead. "Do you feel that, Mr. Popo?"
"Yes, Dende," the servant replied. "What do you suppose it could be?"
"I'm not quite sure, but it stinks of a presence I have long feared returning from the jaws of death." His frown deepened as the young Namek became fully aware of what was happening in the mind of Vegeta. It was days like this he almost regretted becoming Guardian of Earth. Almost. "Stand by, Mr. Popo. I'm going to contact King Kai. I think Goku should know of this."
* * * * *
Trunks' eyes snapped open as he felt...something. "Pan," he whispered, an image of his friend's face floating before his. He leaped from the bed and ran down the hall, throwing the door to her room open. Finding it empty, he thought for a second, then doubled back to Vegeta's room. He found his mother standing at the door, her face frozen in an expression of horror. When he saw what she was staring at, Trunks' face reacted in much the same way.
Bulma had turned on the light, allowing them both to see the dark vortex spiraling menacingly over Vegeta's head. Pan was sprawled across his chest, and her eyes were empty.
"Trunks," Bulma whispered. "What IS it?"
"I don't know," he said at last. "But we should get them away from it." He started forward, but she grabbed his arm.
"Wait! We don't know what's going on here! If we move them..." She trailed off, the worry clear on her face.
Trunks sighed. "You're right." He looked back at his father and his friend. <Damn it, Pan! I can't lose both of you!> He sighed again, then pulled his mother away from the door. "Come on. We'd better tell Gohan and the others."
* * * * *
Gohan frowned as his eyes opened. He didn't say anything, and he didn't need to. His daughter was in trouble, and no words were needed. Only the power that had been his birthright was required.
Videl woke up to the sound of the bedroom window shattering. She looked just in time to see a golden light fading into the night.
* * * * *
Thousands of miles away, Goten's head snapped up as his band finished their last set. "Pan," he said quietly, his eyes narrowing. Something was wrong at home, and he could feel it. He dropped his air guitar and ran off the stage, ducking through the crowd. As soon as he was outside the nightclub, a golden light framed his body, and he rocketed into the sky, heading towards the Capsule Corporation.
* * * * *
Eighteen gasped and sat up in bed. She was somewhat surprised to find her husband doing the same. "Krillin, it's Cell," she whispered. "He's back!"
Krillin frowned. "No, it's Frieza!"
They stared at each other in silence, and the realization came to both at once. "Oh CRAP!"
* * * * *
Pan was still trying to figure out where she was and why she was dressed for battle when she heard it. It was the scream of a soul in unimaginable torture. So pained and miserable was the scream that it took her a few moments to realize it came from Vegeta. She'd never heard him sound like that...never.
She sensed his fading ki before she actually saw him. Of course, she saw the figures crowded around him first.
The important ones she knew right away: Cell, Frieza, and Gero. The other didn't really matter, as he had no real power that she could detect. But then her attention was focused solely on Vegeta, and what the monsters were doing to him.
Vegeta was strapped to a metal table with some type of manacles. His armor had either been torn or blasted away, and most of the body suit beneath it was gone. Long, red welts from Frieza's tail covered nearly all of his chest, arms, and legs. His face was covered in blood, and there were burns on every visible part of his body.
It was then that Pan realized why Vegeta was in so much pain: he was no longer a Super Saiyan. He would have transformed even if it had just been Gero, and certainly for Frieza and Cell.
Fortunately, Cell, Frieza, and Gero were content to sit back and watch, for the moment. Unfortunately, Vegeta had been drained so much that the brain's gun was doing major damage.
Pan felt tears running down her cheeks as she looked at the man who had been like a father to her for most of her life. He was one of the strongest people she knew, and yet, they had reduced him to a bloody, wailing mess. It wasn't right...and it would stop, if she had anything to say about it.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!" she screamed.
Cell and Frieza looked up almost casually, while Gero actually seemed worried.
"What's this? An interloper?" Cell peered at the girl. "That face...more of Goku's clan, no doubt." He looked over at Frieza. "Do you want her, or should I...?"
Frieza smiled. "You go ahead. I think it's time Vegeta got my full attention."
"Very well." Cell floated upward until he was staring Pan in the face. "Hmm. It would be a shame to damage such a pretty face. However, I can't allow you to interfere. I might let you escape unharmed if you leave now."
Pan's fists clenched at her sides. "You...you...MONSTER!"
Cell tilted his head and smiled. "Flattery will get you nowhere, my dear. But I've decided I like your spirit...and your pathetic ki, which shouldn't give us any real trouble. For that, you get a front row seat." Instantly, one powerful arm was around her, and Cell was floating back to where Frieza was just starting to renew his torture of the Saiyan Prince.
Vegeta's eyes slowly opened as he felt Pan's ki, and then they narrowed. She couldn't tell who he was more angry with: her, for being captured so easily; his enemies, for torturing him and making her watch; or himself, for not being strong enough to do anything about it.
Frieza's tail slammed against Vegeta's cheek. "Not so arrogant now, are you, monkey?" he chuckled.
Vegeta spat in his direction.
Frieza's eyes narrowed. "FOOL!" he roared, his tail lashing out. It was aimed at Vegeta's face, and more accurately, his mouth.
Just before Frieza's tail connected, Vegeta opened his mouth. As it struck him, he sank his teeth into the sensitive tip, biting down for all he was worth.
Frieza screamed in pain and instinctively jerked the tail away. He stared in speechless horror as it came away bloody.
Vegeta growled and spat out the end of the tail.
"My beautiful tail...YOU STUPID MONKEY!" Frieza drove his fist into Vegeta's jaw, laughing as he heard bones crack and give way.
Vegeta's eyes rolled in his head for a moment, then he shuddered and laid still.
"NO!" Pan shouted, struggling in Cell's grip. "SENSEI!!!"
* * * * *
Gohan, Videl, Eighteen, Krillin, and Goten were silent as Trunks and Bulma explained what they knew, which was, sadly, not much, and apparently, not enough.
"That's IT?" Gohan asked.
Bulma glared at him. "Gohan, we care about Pan, too. We've done everything to try and figure out what that thing is-"
"...short of going inside it," Goten said quietly.
"THAT is not even an option," Bulma continued. "Pan went in, and now she's in the same rut as Vegeta. No one else is going in there unless we know it's safe."
"But until then, it's NOT safe, and they're still in there!" Videl cried.
"I know, Videl," Bulma sighed. "Pan was like a daughter to me, and I hate to leave her in there. I know what you're going through."
"You don't!" Videl shrieked. "She's not LIKE my daughter, she IS my daughter, and I want her out of there NOW!"
"They do have a point," Krillin said quietly. "Anybody that went in there could get trapped, too."
"But how do we even know they're still alive?" Eighteen asked. "How can be sure the risk of going in isn't worth it?"
"They're alive," Trunks muttered. "I'd know if they weren't. So would Gohan."
That, at least, seemed to be enough, for the moment.
* * * * *
Dr. Willow warily poked Vegeta's body with his gun. "I think he's dead."
Frieza snorted. "He is not, you fool. I can still sense him."
"Well, until he wakes up, there's nothing to do," Cell said.
"But there is." Frieza smiled evilly at Pan. "I'm wondering why she's so attached to Vegeta. Squeezing the truth out of her should be fun enough."
Cell sighed. "Frieza, do you expect me to harm a defenseless girl?"
"No. You actually have some standards." He licked his lips. "I don't."
Normally, Pan would've glared at him. However, she was too busy searching for Vegeta's ki. Frieza had said he was alive, but she wasn't so sure anymore.
"Fine," Cell muttered, dropping Pan to the ground. "Have your fun. But when Vegeta wakes up, I finish him."
"Agreed." Frieza grabbed a handful of Pan's hair. "You do look a little like Goku. Unfortunately for you, I'm the last person you want to remind of him."
"Why? Bad memories?" Pan spat.
Frieza's eyes narrowed, and he slapped her hard across the face. "Looks like I'll have to teach you some manners before I kill you."
"Oh, I already know them. 'Please, Goku, spare me! I'll be good, I promise!'"
Rage masked Frieza's features for a moment, and then he chuckled. "You're trying to force me into doing something stupid. It won't work."
"I know. You do that well enough without any help from me."
The thick part of Frieza's tail crashed into her head, and the pale appendage curled around Pan's neck and began to squeeze. As she gasped for air, Frieza leaned close and whispered in her ear. "Maybe Goku didn't tell you this, but I can't be defeated. He thought he destroyed me, but I came back stronger than ever. It just proves that he was only a stupid, smelly monkey." His lips twisted into a smile. "Only now, he's a stupid, smellier, dead monkey."
Pan glared at him, clawing at his tail. "Don't you talk about him!" she growled.
Frieza pulled her even closer. "Stupid. Smelly. Monkey. And it's too bad Vegeta didn't learn anything from him. Now they're both dead."
Nearby, Dr. Willow suddenly brought the barrel of his gun down on Vegeta's skull. There was a sickening crunch, followed by Willow's laughter.
Pan's head lowered as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. With a start, she realized they were too hot. They were burning. Frieza soon realized as well, because he screamed when they touched his tail. But for some reason, Pan dug her fingers into his tail, refusing to let him pull away.
The scene around her faded to nothing but angry, orange flames. For miles around, they were all she could see. And then the two white eyes rose up, towering over her. Huge, majestic wings emerged from the flames, and the great bird screeched, its cry echoing off her soul.
The bird suddenly looked at Pan and swooped down, swallowing her in its long beak. That was when everything turned red.
* * * * *
Goku frowned and slowly removed his hand from King Kai's back. "This isn't good."
"No, it isn't," King Kai agreed. "I don't know how powerful Pan is, but Cell is still stronger than Vegeta. He's going to need her help...wherever they are."
"I just wish there was something I could do." Goku blinked, and then grinned. "Maybe there is something..."
King Kai looked nervous. "Goku, what are you thinking?"
"Turn around again, King Kai. I need to use your 'phone' two more times."
* * * * *
Cell wasn't quite sure what had happened. One moment, Frieza had been torturing the girl he'd captured. The next moment, Frieza began screaming and trying to pry her away from his tail. Then something had exploded. He realized now that it had been the rest of Frieza's tail.
The girl herself was another story altogether. She'd started glowing, and her ki had gone up considerably. Cell assumed that someone had taught her to hide it very well...but then, she had called Vegeta her teacher.
From what he could see, the girl had burst into flames, but she didn't appear to be harmed by them. Her hair was now bright orange, as was her ki, and her eyes were pure white. For all intents and purposes, she was as powerful as a Super Saiyan...but Cell knew instantly that this was no Super Saiyan.
Then she turned to look at him and charged. Despite his usual arrogance and confidence in his powers, Cell got out of the way. The girl continued past him and slammed into Dr. Willow, who instantly vanished in a curl of black smoke. All his power had been drained, and so he was sent back to Hell. Cell knew that Frieza, Dr. Gero, and himself would have to finish the job.
* * * * *
Dende looked up in surprise as Eighteen and Krillin landed in front of them. "This is most unexpected," he said at last. "I asked for Gohan and Trunks."
"We know," Krillin replied. "But they didn't want to leave. They want to be there in case Pan needs them, so we were drafted."
"I understand." Dende looked at them both. "You do know why I called, don't you?"
"The Dragonballs?" Eighteen asked.
Dende nodded. "They will be needed. I am not sure if Pan and Vegeta can be restored without them. The real problem lies in phrasing the wish correctly, as there are limits to the dragon's power."
"Let's just worry about the Dragonballs first," Krillin suggested. "We'll have to borrow Bulma's Dragon Radar, but we should find them pretty quickly."
"I thought as much. Good luck," Dende said as the couple flew off.
* * * * *
Vegeta slowly and painfully opened his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment, and then cleared. The first thing he saw was someone trading blows with Frieza. It took him a few moments to realize who it was. <Pan?! How did she get that strong so quickly?! And...what IS she?!>
He thought for a few seconds. <Well, I've never seen a female Super Saiyan. Perhaps that's what they look like. Still...it is very strange.> He pushed the thought from his head and focused on freeing himself. Hiding his ki hadn't been too difficult, especially with the beating they'd given him. As he'd hoped, Pan had assumed he was dead, and the rage had triggered her transformation. But he could sense her power, and though she was close to Frieza's level, he was stronger. She would need help.
Vegeta screamed as his power built up. Never before had the upgrade to Super Saiyan been so painful, not even the first time. But he would make his enemies feel ten times that, once he was through. The manacles around his wrists and legs ripped like paper, and he flew up.
Frieza had just sent Pan reeling with a hard right hand, but before it could connect again, Vegeta's right hand slammed into Frieza's. There was an audible crack, and Frieza's metal hand shattered into a million pieces. The startled Changeling could only stare in shock as Vegeta blasted him in the chest, and he fell away from them.
Vegeta growled and wiped some blood from his face, suddenly noticing that Pan was staring at him. "What?" he barked.
She blinked, and her eyes filled with joyous tears. "Sensei..." Before he could stop her, Pan grabbed him in a rough hug, burying her face against his shoulder. "I thought you were dead!" she sobbed.
Vegeta started to pull away, especially when her flames began to spread to his body. But for some reason, the heat didn't bother him, and it actually felt...good. He watched in astonishment as the various wounds along his limbs began to close. "Pan...how are you doing that?" he asked.
She noticed the wounds vanishing, too. "I-I don't know," she admitted. Experimentally, she pressed a hand against his cheek. The lash marks from Frieza's tail began to fade there, and soon the blood was gone, too.
Vegeta pulled her hand away, staring at it. Like the rest of her body, it was surrounded by flames. Yet she wasn't burned at all, and the fire didn't consume her. It sprang from her skin, almost as if it was as natural as hair. And as he had seen, the fire COULD burn her enemies...but apparently, it had healing properties for her allies. "Can you control it?"
She nodded. "But...I didn't make it heal you. It just...reacted."
Vegeta glanced over her shoulder, noticing Cell and Dr. Gero for the first time. "Then make it react again, and do it quickly."
* * * * *
Gohan stared across the table at Trunks. "And why did you wait until now to tell me?"
Trunks shrugged. "It was late, and I didn't know she'd choose tonight to get sucked into a vortex. Besides, I wasn't sure if Pan wanted anyone to know."
"Trunks, I'm her father."
"Gohan, I'm her friend. I'm not going to betray her trust...ever. Not even to you." He looked away. "Also, I wasn't sure if there was any real reason for alarm. Have YOU ever seen a female Super Saiyan?"
"No," Gohan admitted slowly.
"Then for all we know, what happened last night might be normal."
"And it might not," Gohan added.
"Also true. But unless you know any other survivors from Planet Vegeta, I think you'll just have to wait and ask my father when he awakens...if he ever does."
* * * * *
"Are you worried, Dr. Gero?" Cell asked.
"Not entirely. You are still stronger than Vegeta, and the girl can be no stronger than he is. And once Frieza has had a minute to collect himself, I'm sure he will join us. We are still in control here. They cannot escape us."
"You said not entirely, though."
"Well...yes. I have had time to study Super Saiyans from the data I collected during my last fight with Vegeta."
"And...?"
"And there is nothing that indicates that girl should've been able to transform. Every bit of data implied that only males could become Super Saiyans."
Cell blinked. "So you're saying that she is a special case?"
"Most likely. Does that bother you?"
"Oh, no. Not at all, doctor." Cell smiled. "I LIKE special cases..."
Above them, there was a bright flash of golden light.
"Ah. I see that he's become 'Super' Vegeta again. These Ascended Saiyans are quite amusing. Don't you think so, Dr. Gero?"
"You'll have to excuse me if I don't share your interest, Cell."
"Of course. Leave them both to me."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Vegeta appeared in front of him, delivering a vicious kick to Cell's head, and then following up with several energy blasts at close range. Soon Cell felt blasts from another direction, as both Saiyans continued their assault on him. So he did the one thing that could make them angriest.
He yawned. "Is it my turn yet?"
Vegeta growled and drove his fist into Cell's face.
Cell blinked and kicked him the chest, smiling as the Saiyan Prince doubled over in pain. "Well, either those old wounds aren't quite healed yet, or you're weaker than I thought you were, Vegeta. I guess I'll have to fight the girl instead. Maybe she'll last longer..."
Vegeta looked up, the rage unmistakable in his eyes. "Baka...! I'll show you real power!" His muscles began to shrink back to their normal size, and the golden hair on his head grew even closer together. Tiny lightning bolts crackled around his body as new power flowed through him, and his eyes narrowed almost permanently.
Cell was not impressed. "That may have saved Gohan, but only because you provided a distraction. You will not win."
"I second the motion," Frieza added as he rose up beside Cell.
Vegeta snorted. "Get out of the way, you weakling! You have no power!"
Frieza smirked. "Poor, poor Vegeta. You still don't get it, do you? You base your opinion of me by what you can sense. But you of all people should know that when I am involved, there is more than what meets the eye." As he spoke, Frieza's body began to bulge and twist.
Vegeta and Pan could only watch in shock as Frieza went through all of his forms, ending in the final one.
"Now do you understand, foolish Saiyans? Since my...accident, I've gotten much stronger. You only thought you could beat me because you saw my first form, which was quite weak when compared to yours. But now, you will be the first to experience the new and improved Frieza's wrath!"
For the first time in the battle, Vegeta actually looked worried. He glanced over at Pan. He compared her ki and Frieza's, and knew that there was no contest. There were only two options, and he wasn't about to make her fight a battle neither of them could win. "Pan," he whispered, his eyes still on their opponents.
"Sensei?"
"When I engage them, I want you to run."
"WHAT?!"
"That's an order."
"No! I won't leave you here, Sensei! Either we fight together, or we escape together!"
Vegeta snarled. "GO!"
"NEVER!" Pan shouted in his face.
Vegeta didn't know whether to be surprised or angry. Then he became both. "GO OR I'LL MAKE YOU GO!"
Pan stayed where she was. "I'm not leav-"
Vegeta roared and lashed out. His fist connected with her cheek, and Pan flew back. She hadn't been expecting him to attack, and he took advantage of that. With a move that looked suspiciously like a Kamehameha Wave, Vegeta blasted Pan away, sending her screaming into the darkness.
Frieza attacked first. He leaped forward, slamming into Vegeta from the front. Cell hit him from the back, effectively crushing the Super Saiyan between them. Vegeta's wounds that he had thought healed began to surface and open again.
Frieza rained blows all over his face and chest, while Cell focused on his back.
Suddenly, Vegeta growled in anger, but it wasn't because of the attack. Pan was slowly coming back. Her clothing was singed from the blast, but there was a determined look in her eyes as she swooped down, ramming into Frieza from behind.
The Changeling hit her with a death beam up close, and though Pan shuddered, she shook away the pain and charged again.
Vegeta could only watch as Frieza fired more death beams. But every time, Pan shook them off and kept coming, though it was useless.
"Just give up, girl," Frieza said at last, smiling cruelly. "You're even weaker than Goku was."
Pan's head snapped up, and a new fire burned in her eyes. "Don't you talk about him...EVER!"
"Why? He was only a stupid monkey, just like you. And I guess that makes Vegeta here Prince of the Monkeys. Not a very effective title, but it fits."
Pan's body shook with rage. "I said don't talk about him!"
Frieza sighed. "My only regret is that I wasn't able to kill him. Cell robbed me of that pleasure. But once we're done with Vegeta, I'll make sure you die by my hands, little monkey girl."
"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY GRAMPA!" Pan shouted.
Dr. Gero's eyes widened as Pan's ki began glowing bright red. "What has Frieza done?! Doesn't he know that anger is the key to their power?!"
Pan brought her hands together at her side and began to whisper, the fury building in her voice as she spoke. "Ka...Me...Ha...Me..."
Frieza's eyes narrowed. "No you don't!" He lunged at her.
"HAAAA!" Pan screamed, thrusting her hands out. A red bolt of lightning leaped from her hands, hitting Frieza in the chest. He, too, screamed as it exploded, a ball of red fury enveloping him for a few tense seconds. Then it exploded, as well.
Vegeta turned his head, and was still momentarily blinded. But when he regained his sight, he was shocked.
Frieza was still there...but he was not unharmed. All that remained was his upper torso and head. His waist, legs, and arms had been burned away by Pan's attack. "No..." he whispered. "Not again...NEVER AGAIN!" He opened his mouth, and a purple blast flew out of it.
Pan knocked it away with ease. But that was when she noticed the vortex.
It had been growing above them, and by now, it was very large. It was black, like the one that had brought them here, and spiraled in the same evil manner.
Vegeta's hope fell. If Cell and Frieza were calling for reinforcements, then it was all over. Anyone stronger than them could easily defeat Pan and himself.
But Pan flew to the vortex, ready to blast the first being that came through. And when it did, she prepared a blast. But when she saw the being's face, her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
He was a Saiyan, of that there could be no doubt. But he looked...very familiar. His black hair seemed to explode from his head, and despite the scar on his cheek, there was only one person he could be.
"G-Grampa?" Pan whispered.
The Saiyan blinked, and then smiled. "No, Pan. But close enough." He turned back to vortex and shouted, "ATTACK!"
A battle cry went up, and hundreds of Saiyans began to pour from the vortex. Among them was one with brown, pointy hair. He flew directly at Frieza and snarled, "Get away from my son!"
Frieza blinked. "King Vegeta?" he asked in disbelief.
The dead king raised his hand and fired.
Frieza screamed, and was then covered by hundreds of bodies. The same fate went for Cell and Dr. Gero. But as the Saiyans were knocked aside but one sweep of Cell's hand, some of them realized it wouldn't be enough. All of them just weren't strong enough.
A hand gripped Pan's arm, and she turned to see the Saiyan from before. There was a peculiar ball of energy in his hand. "Whatever you do," he said, "don't look up." And then he threw the ball.
Pan wasn't sure why she wasn't supposed to look, but did as he ordered. Suddenly, the cavern was filled with mighty roars. She gasped when she realized that every Saiyan, save for Vegeta, herself, and the one who looked a lot like Goku, was turning into a giant ape.
After that, the advantage went to the Saiyans. Several feet soon crushed Dr. Gero, and Frieza didn't last long against the fiery breath of the apes. They both faded out of existence, sent back to Hell.
Cell, however, was not so easily beaten. Even in his Imperfect form, he had been stronger then all the apes. Now that he was Perfect, they presented no challenge. So instead of fighting the apes, he created a black shield of impenetrable energy around himself. No matter how hard the apes struck it, they never even dented it.
Pan was still watching the fight when yet another Saiyan that resembled Goku appeared. Apparently, he had somehow avoided looking at the false moon. He was carrying Vegeta's limp body across his shoulders. "I think we need another plan, Bardock," he said. "That green guy's tougher than we thought."
Bardock nodded. "I doubt even I could do much against him. But he must be defeated." He thought for a moment, then sighed. "Keep an eye on Vegeta and the girl, Turles."
"What are you going to do?" Turles asked.
Before Bardock could answer, there was a deafening roar of pain. Cell was now extending his shield outward at a rapid rate, and as it collided with each ape, the ape vanished. Soon, they were all gone, and Cell's gaze landed on Pan. With a smirk on his face, he flew directly at her.
Bardock pushed Pan behind him, while Turles shoved Vegeta into her arms and stood by the older Saiyan.
Cell stopped in front of them. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say both of you were Goku. But I killed him, so that can't be. Although I am quite dead myself, so it just might be possible. Anyway, which one will die first?"
Turles leaped forward and blasted Cell in the face.
Cell looked very disappointed as he drove his arm into the Saiyan's chest. Turles instantly disappeared. "This is getting very boring." He shoved Bardock aside and smiled at Pan. "So we meet again, my dear. Are you ready to die now?"
Before Pan could respond, Bardock leaped on Cell's back and detonated a bright ball of energy in his face.
Cell cried out in surprise and threw Bardock off, trying to regain his vision.
Bardock steadied himself, forming an orange ball of energy this time. He glanced over his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, kid," he said, "and so is Ka...Goku. Remember that."
Cell growled in anger and charged, his punch shattering Bardock's jaw.
The Saiyan stumbled back, then threw the ball upward as Cell hit him with a devastating blast. Just before he faded away, Pan could hear Bardock whispering, "Remember..."
Cell cracked his knuckles and turned to look at her. "Oh, now I remember who he was! Bardock was his name. He was Goku's father."
Pan's eyes widened. "What?"
"So that makes him...your great-grandfather. No, wait...your very DEAD great-grandfather. Yes, that's it."
Pan could feel tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them away. It was then that she noticed the glowing ball of energy that Bardock had thrown. It was hovering overhead...and then it exploded.
Cell, Pan, and Vegeta were bathed in light as the false sun formed.
Vegeta blinked, and suddenly understood.
Pan gasped as she felt...something.
Cell's head snapped back to her, and then he understood, too.
Pan felt a sharp pain in her arms. She looked down at them, only to see the flames around her growing higher and stronger. Her first instinct was to panic, but for some reason, she was surprisingly calm.
Cell actually took a few steps back as the flames hid Pan from his view. They quickly grew higher, until they began to form a gigantic shape. At first, he wasn't sure what it was. But then wings rose from the flames, followed by a fearsome head and a large beak. Cell actually gasped when he realized why he couldn't see the girl anymore.
The enormous firebird fixed its eyes on him and let out a shriek. Then, the wings flapped once, and the great bird began to fly forward.
No matter how fast he moved, Cell could not escape the bird. It was always right behind him.
Then the bird opened its mouth, and molten lava spewed forth.
Cell fell under the burning liquid and tried to brush it out.
The bird rose up over him, shrieked one last time, and then went into a downward spiral.
For a terrifying moment, Cell thought it might eat him alive. Instead, the bird shrank and flew into his gaping mouth. Cell blinked several times, and then screamed as he was burned from the inside. His limbs hardened, and he fell to the ground, lifeless. Then his body broke apart and faded.
Pan appeared in place where he had fallen. The flames around her body died away, and she collapsed.
Continued in Chapter 6: The Good Life